Utility vehicle

ABSTRACT

A utility vehicle and vehicle mover that is power propelled, and may be moved by an individual to both lift and transport extremely heavy vehicles, such as trailers, when the vehicle has been disconnected from its prime mover. In one embodiment, the mover includes an adjustable power lifting means that may extend a distance under the trailer tongue for increased stability. In another embodiment, the mover mechanism is integral with the trailer tongue itself.

United States Patent [1 1 Smith 1 3,770,070 [4 1 Nov. 6, 1973 UTILITYVEHICLE [76] Inventor: Jimmie D. Smith, 417 Hanover St.,

Irving, Tex

[22] Filed: July 29, 1971 [21] App]. No.: 167,349

[52] US. Cl. 180/13, 180/14 R, 180/19 R, 254/86 R, 280/150.5, 280/490 R[51] Int. Cl B62d 53/04 [58] Field of Search 180/12, 13, 14, 19, 180/26,52, 11; 280/1505, 425, 490, 150 A;

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,471,521 5/1949 Galey280/490 R 3,166,141 l/1965 Shields et al 180/19 R PrimaryExaminerl(enneth H. Betts Att0rney-Th0mas D. Copeland, Jr.

[57] ABSTRACT A utility vehicle and vehicle mower that is powerpropelled, and may be moved by an individual to both lift and transportextremely heavy vehicles, such as trailers, when the vehicle has beendisconnected from its prime mover. in one embodiment, the mover includesan adjustable power lifting means that may extend a distance under thetrailer tongue for increased stability.

'In another embodiment, the mover mechanism is integral with the trailertongue itself.

12 Claims, 12 Drawing Figures PATENTED W 6 i975 SHEET 1 BF 4 FIG.

PAIENIEDNnv 6191s 3770.070

SHEET 2 BF 4 2 FIG. 4

'9 DRIVE UNIT I HYD MOTOR /77 0 CONT VALVE 7 n so 8 f POWER HYD CONT HYDLIFT PLANT PUMP VALVE MOTOR UNIT I TANK 83 CONT HYD STOWING VALVE; MOTORUNIT em ls l8 PATENTEDunv 6 I975 snma er 4 FIG. 6

FIG. 7

PATENIEDMBV 6073. 3770.070

SHEET u 0F 4 FIG. 9

FIG.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of Invention This invention relatesgenerally to self-propelled utility machines, and more particularly to aunique machine which has for an important object the ability to pick up,guide, maneuver, transport and stow a vehicle that is detached from itsprime mover.

2. Statement of the Prior Art Prior art US. Pats. Nos. 3,356,172 toPeckham, et al., and 3,439,764 to Kimball are representative of the artof power propelled vehicle movers and relate to the Applicants firstembodiment shown in FIGS. 1 7.

Prior art US. Pats. Nos. 3,166,141 to Shields, 3,150,734 to Duggar,3,156,315 to I-Iawgood, 3,370,666 to l-Ioltzclaw, 3,179,196 toRichardson, and 3,417,833 to McRae are representative of the art ofpower propelled vehicle movers and relate to the Applicants secondembodiment shown in FIGS. 8-12.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A principal object of this invention is toprovide a power propelled, power lifting, vehicle mover which is of aconstruction to permit the vehicle to be readily guided by an individualwhile power is applied selectively to the drive wheel and liftingmechanism.

An object of one embodiment of this invention is to provide a mechanismmounted on and supported by the vehicle to be moved and wherein thepower drive wheel is stowed under the vehicle itself when not in use.

An object of another embodiment of this invention is to provide aseparate self propelled mover vehicle that may have both a power liftand a power drive and wherein the power lift is so constructed as topermit it to be run under the tongue or other portion of a vehicle to bemoved and be coupled thereto and thereafter lift the vehicle off itssupport and move the vehicle to another location.

A still further object of this invention is to provide a vehicle movermechanism in which virtually no manual effort is required to lift,propel and stow said mechanism, and one which will be extremely usefulfor the purposes intended. I

And another object is to provide a power vehicle which may beselectively used for moving a vehicle, moving loads, and operating othertools.

And yet another object is to provide a trailer mover which will permitthe operator to move the trailer to the prime mover instead of having toback the prime mover to the trailer.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIG. 1 represents a side elevationalview of one embodiment of this invention shown in an operating mode.

FIG. 2 is a detail front view of the power drive wheel and assembledstructure detached from the remainder of the mechanism.

FIG. 3 is a view taken along the lines 3--3 of FIG. 2 showing one set ofclutch teeth in cross-section.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along the lines 4-4 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a schematic drawing of a power operated system wherein thedrive, lift, stowing units and vehicle load levellers are hydraulicallycontrolled.

FIG. 6 is a side elevational view of a vehicle using the rnover of thefirst embodiment in combination with vehicle levellers.

FIG. 7 is a rear elevational view of the device of FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is a side elevational view of another embodiment of thisinvention.

FIG. 9 is a top plan view of the device of FIG. 7.

FIG. 10 is a front elevational view of the device of FIG. 7.

FIG. 11 is a detail view taken at 11-11 of FIG. 8 and showing thelift-coupling between the lead screw and using power means for thelifting mechanism of this embodiment.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring now more particularly tothe characters of reference in the drawing, it will be observed that theassembled moving and lifting mechanism of FIG. 1 is referenced A, andthis mechanism comprises one embodiment of this invention. The vehicleto be moved in this figure is referenced B, and is shown only as thetrailer tongue 2 and A-frame 3.

A guide structure, such as vertical tube 4 extends thru the tongueportion 2 of the vehicle B and projects upward and thru submountingplatform 5 and in so doing defines an opening thru which drive shaft 6may extend. The top mounting platform 7 supports an internal combustionmotor 8, drive shaft 9 and stowing cable winch 10. The mountingplatforms 5, 7, as well as vehicle frame B support .the liftingmechanism referred to generally at 11. Internal combustion motor 8drives output pulley 12, which thru pulley belt 13, drives pulley 14 ofdriven shaft 9.

When actuated by handle 15 or hydraulic control valve 81a and hydraulicmotor 16 (FIG. 5), cable 22 will be reeled in or paid out by cable-winch10. The cable 22 is anchored at 24 to wheel cage 25. Upon the reeling inof cable 22, the wheel cage 25 pivots about hinge 26 that connects it tothe wheel cage platform 27 and this action permits the wheel cage tofold upward and assume the position shown in phantom outline in FIG. 1.At this position, the trailer hitch 28 on tongue 2 will have beenengaged to a prime mover (not shown), and the vehicle will be ready fornormal road travel.

The drive shaft 9 is journalled in both top plate 7 and submountingplate 5 and contains a small sprocket 30 in alignment with a largersprocket 31, so that the latter is turned thru chain 32. Shaft 33 isrotated by sprocket 31 and simultaneously rotates sprocket 34 whichturns chain 35 and larger sprocket 36, which directly drives shaft 6.The lower end of shaft 6 contains a clutch plate 37 (FIG. 2) and itsassociated clutch teeth 38, which mesh with and engage clutch teeth 39of lower clutch plate 41 (FIG. 3). When the wheel cage 25 is pivotedupward about hinge 26, the clutch plates separate and there is no longera direct drive thru the clutch comprising clutch plates 37 and 41, andtheir integral teeth 38 and 39. But when the clutch plates are engagedand drive shaft 6 is rotating, the bevel gear 42 is rotated by its shaft43 and drive bevel gear 44 and shaft 45 which is rotatably supportedfrom journal boxes 54 in sidewalls 46 and 47 of cage 25.

Sprocket 48 and its chain 49 drive sprocket 51 and shaft 52 which issupported in journal boxes 53 on each side wall 46 and 47. The shaft 52then drives ground engaging wheel 55 and the vehicle and mechanism moveforward. The handle 56 includes opposite openingslots 57 and 58 whichengage projecting bolts 60 and 61, and this handle and connectionprovides the steering means for the vehicle when the mover mechanism isin use.

Operator clutch control handle 208 is moved to apply tension to thenormally slack cable 207 by means of its cable drum 200. This tension istransmitted thru guides or rollers 201, 202, and 203 to L-shaped lever206 which pivots the lever arm of 206 and pulley shaft 205 about pivot208 so that pulley 204 is moved into operating engagement with drivebelt 13 and cause belt 13 to drive pulley 14. Rollers 201A may swivelthru swivel mountings to facilitate steering movements of handle 56.

In FIG. 1 it is seen that even though wheel 55 rotates only in onedirection (.to cause forward travel of the vehicle), the handle 56 maybe quickly removed and engaged against bolts 60A and 61A, after wheelcage 25 rotates l80. This will permit the vehicle to be moved in areverse direction without the need of expensive reversing mechanism.When this is done and wheel cage 25 is rotated, the cable 22 being slackfollows the wheel cage, but does not interfere with the steeringoperation. The handle 56 is equipped with a universal joint 59 whichwill permit the operator to move from side to side for better visibilitywhen moving the trailer.

When crank handle 65 is rotated, teeth 70 of the load lifting andlowering gear 71 will engage and lift serrations 72, and hence shaft 73which is anchored to top plate 27 of wheel housing 74. Prior to thelifting action of shaft 73 upward in tube 4, the hitch 28 will have beenengaged with the ball of the prime mover and the handle 56 will havebeen removed. As, the lift progresses until the wheel structure 74 iswell above the ground, the stowing cable winch 10 is rotated by handle15 (or valve and motor 81a and 16 of FIG. and cable 22 is reeled in,lifting wheel cage 25 to its stowed position.

'To place mover mechanism A in its utility position, the reverseprocedure is followed, and firstly, stowing unit 18 is activated whencable winch is rotated by handle or power unit 16 to pay out cable 22and permit wheel cage to lower by gravity about its hinge 26 until itengages wheel housing platform 27. At this point, a C-clamp 220 iscaused to engage C-channel 221 of wheel cage 25. Next, the lift unit 1 1is activated by crank 65, or control valve 81b and power unit 17,turning gear 71 in a direction to lower shaft 73 and wheel housing 74 toits ground engaging position and this action may be continued untilhitch 28 is raised off its engaged socket on a prime mover (not shown)-Thereafter, the lift unit is used to raise or lower the tongue portion 2as required for levelling purposes.

When it is desired to move the vehicle B when the latter is separatedfrom its prime mover (auto, tractor, etc.), the drive unit 19 isemployed. This unit 19 may be power driven from motor 8 thru thepulley-sprocket sequence as previously described or it may be drivenfrom motor thru hydraulic pump 76 and control valve 81c and hydraulicmotor 77 (as shown in FIG. 5). In this arrangement, the drive unit 19would be reversible and the technique of switching handle 56 would notbe utilized.

One of the advantages of the described embodiment is that the moverwheel unit stays with the vehicle at all times and is always ready forinstant, service. When it is stowed, it is out of the way of otherfunctions of the vehicle. And when it is in use, the wheel unit ishighly controllable from the front of the vehicle being moved and themover per se does not require any more ground space than the trailedportion of the vehicle per se.

FIGS. 3 and 4 are detail views showing the construction of parts whosedetail is hidden in the other figures.

FIG. 5 discloses the hydraulic system used with the previously describedembodiment when it is desired that all operations be power controlled.The power plant or motor is represented by block 8, and is shown torotate hydraulic pump 76 to deliver pressurized fluid thru lines 80 tocontrol valves 81a 81d of all of the working units, such as hydraulicmotors 16, 17, 77 and hydraulic jacks 82 and then to exhaust line 84back thru hydraulic tank 83. The hydraulic circuit just described is aunitary power system using the same medium of power for all functions.

FIGS. 6 and 7 show the application of the load levellers 82 of FIG. 5 toa trailer T. When the piston legs 87 are extended and their swivel pads88 engage the ground G as shown, or preferably vertically, each pistonmay be controlled separately thru its valve 81 to level the vehicle T.When the leveller jacks 82 are not in use, the pistons 87 are retractedand the jack folded up into the bumper 89 (shown in phantom outline inFIG. 7 by pivoting the jack about its single mounting bolt 90.

FIGS. 8-12 represent another embodiment of the load mover of thisinvention which provides a separate unitary load mover which by itsunique concept and construction may be used to lift, transport, maneuverand deposit or stow extremely large, bulky or heavy loads with greatfacility. This embodiment, referred to as C, includes a main frame 101supported from the ground by drive wheels 102 and follower wheel 103,and guided by steering yoke 104. A power plant 105 is mounted on frame101 and thru a transmission system identified generally at 106, andclutch system 121, the speed of the power plant is reduced to thedesired travel speed and changed to the desired travel direction.

When it is desired to utilize load mover C to engage a vehicle such as atrailer, the mover C is maneuvered to a position near the ball engagingcup of the hitch unit (indicated in phantom outline at 107) on thevehicle and this hitch unit is inserted onto and attached to ball joint108 mounted on the travelling platform 109 on inclined tube track 110.

The ball carrying platform 109 supports ball 108 in an upright positionat all times while moving up inclined track 110. Platform 109 comprisesa top plate 111 attached to two spaced apart angle irons 112, whichstraddle track in guided relation and are joined at their rearmost loweredge by cross bar 136. The tube track 110 is slotted along its undersideas shown at 113 in FIG; 11, and houses an internally located lead screw114, which is rotated by jack crank 115 at the top end of tube 110.Travelling nut 116 on lead screw 1 14 is attached to cross bar 136 bybolt 1 17, so that as the crank 115 is rotated in one direction, thetravelling nut 116 climbs up the track 110 carrying the cross bar 136and lifting platform 109 with it. And when the crank 115 is rotated in areverse direction, the platform 109 will be lowered along track 110under controlled conditions.

It will be noted in FIG. 8 that the track 110 is inclined upwardly at anacute angle to the ground; and that the platform 109, (carrying ballhitch 108) when being adjusted upward in response to an upward crankingof jack crank l 15, is also simultaneously moving vertically relative tothe track 110, and moving in a direction away from the drive wheel 102and inwardly of the vehicle C.

The power plate 105 of embodiment C thru a gear reduction system 118drive output pulley 119, which thru belt 120, when clutch 121 isengaged, turns transmission pulley 122 and hence transmission outputshaft 123 of transmission 124 at a speed dependent on the setting oftransmission shift lever 125. Shaft 123 in turning, drives chain andsprocket system 126 to rotate' axle 127 and hence wheels 128.

The clutch system 121 is comprised of an idler pulley 129 which is madeto engage belt 120 when clutch lever 121A is moved to its engageposition and moves pulley support arm 12113 and pulley 129 into firmengagement with belt 120. When lever 121A is moved to its disengage"position, the pulley 129 moves out of contact with belt 120 and the beltrotates loosely or not at all, and the transmission 124 may be shiftedthru its shift lever 125.

When it is desired to use the utility vehicle C as a lawn mower, theauxiliary unit 140 is attached to the lift platform 109 in such a mannerthat a reel type mower 141 is pushed ahead of the vehicle C andfunctions as a power mower since the blades 142 of a reel type mowerrotate with the ground engaging wheels 143. The side arms 144,journalled to the center axle 145 of the mower 141, are supported andconnected at their upper ends by cross member 146. Ball engaging cupmember 147 is supported by and extends fromthe underside of cross member146 in a manner to engage ball 108 of lift platform 109. Side bars 148straddle platform 109 at installation to position mower unit 140 and yetpermit its pivotal movement thru attaching bolts 149. The bolts 149threadedly engage openings in cross member 146 and tightem thereto, butin such a way as not to bind against side arms 144, so that these armsmay freely pivot about their attaching bolts 149. This action permitsthe mower unit 140 to ride freely over the terrain being mowed.

The modified embodiment shown in FIG. 12 includes the power plant 105and drive arrangement shown in FIG. 8, and in addition includes a powerlifting system, identified generally at 130, which comprises basically ahydraulic pump 131, a reservoir tank 132, an elongated hydraulic jack133 and a control valve 134 supported on handle 104 for ready access bythe operator.

The usual function of the hydraulic jack 133 is to power raise and powerlower the ball platform 109A to adjust the height of a vehicle tongueattached to ball 108 thereon (not shown in FIG. 12, but shown at 107 inFIG. 8). To accomplish this purpose, the piston 135 is attached to theunderside of platform 109A by means of its cross bar 136A. To raiseplatform 109A, valve 134 directs pressurized fluid thru line 141 to thelower end of piston 135 which is thereby retracted into cylinder 137 andthe bar 136A, platform 109A and ball 108 will all travel upward alonginclined track 138 (similar in function to tube The platform 109A islowered by the reversing valve 134 and directing pressurized fluid thruline 140 into the upper end of cylinder 137 and exhausting fluid thruline 141 back thru valve 134 to tank 132.

When it is desired to use the vehicle C to perform the function of alift fork truck, an auxiliary fork structure is securely attached to thelift platform 109A and may itself be raised and lowered thru thedescribed hydraulic system. The fork structure 150 includes horizontallyextending members 157 spaced apart the distance needed to straddle crossbar 136A so that these parts may be attached by bolts 152 threading intotapped openings 153 on each side of bar 136A. The third attachment pointis cup 154 which engages ball 108 and is itself suspended from crossmember 155 extending between vertical members 156 upstanding from forkarms 157. The entire lift structure 150 is adapted to operate betweenside frame members 158 of the main frame 101A without interference withany structure or functional elements of the mover C. In some instancesit will be desirable to utilize the lift forks formed by arms 157 toengage a trailer tongue that is resting on the ground and raise it uponto a sawhorse or similar support means. And of course the vehicle Cwill have utility apart from its operation as a trailer mover, and itcan perform moving, rolling (by replacing mower 141 with a solidweighted roller), and other functions the same as embodiment C. y Thecontents of the disclosures of the specifications of the prior artpatents mentioned in this specification are incorporated herein and madea part hereof by reference.

From the foregoing description it 'will be readily seen that there hasbeen produced a device and assemblage which substantially fulfills theobjects of the invention as set forth herein, but this invention is notlimited to the construction shown and may be made in many ways withinthe spirit of the invention and the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A mover for a. a frame,

b. at least one power driven wheel supporting said frame from theground,

c. a power plant supported on said frame,

d. coupling'means between said power plant and said wheels,

e. lifting means on said mover for raising and lowering said load,

f. a second lifting means for folding said wheel and stowing said wheelwhen said mover is not in use.

2. A load mover-as in claim 1, wherein at least one of said liftingmeans is power operated.

3. A load mover as in claim 1, wherein said lifting means for raisingand lowering said load comprises a tubular guide structure having a sideopening therein, an axially moving tubular member in said guidestructure, and means extending into said opening for moving said memberand raising and lowering said load therewith.

4. A load mover as in claim 3, wherein said member includes teeth, meansfor moving said member by cooperative engagement with said teeth.

5. A load mover as in claim 3, wherein said member includes parallelserrations and said means for moving a load, comprising, in combination:

said member includes teeth for engaging said serrations.

6. A load mover as in claim 3, wherein the lower end of said memberengages a wheel structure including a load propelling wheel therein,drive means intermediate said power plant and said wheel, means in saidmember thru which said drive means may transmit power.

7. A load mover as in claim 6, wherein the lower end of said memberengages a wheel structure including a load propelling wheel therein,drive means intermediate said power plant and said wheel, and whereinsaid tubular member defines an opening thru which said drive meansextends.

8. A load mover as in claim 6, wherein said wheel rotates in onedirection and propels said load in a forward direction, and said wheelstructure includes means to cause said wheel to rotate in said onedirection and propel said load in the opposite direction from saidforward direction.

9. A load mover as in claim 6, wherein said wheel structure comprises aplatform and a wheel cage hinged thereto and comprising remote leveragemeans for pivoting said wheel cage about said hinge to .move it to astowage location.

10. A mover for a vehicle, comprising in combination,

a. a frame common to said mover and said vehicle,

b. at least one power driven wheel unit supporting said frame from theground,

c. a power plant supported on said frame and outputing power in onedirection of movement,

d. a lifting unit for raising and lowering said frame,

e. a lifting unit for stowing said wheel,

f. coupling means between said power plant and said power driven wheel,

g. and transmissionless means to reverse the direction of power travelof said wheel unit while maintaining said one direction of movement.

11. A load mover as in claim 1, wherein said frame is common to saidmover and said load and wherein at least one of said lifting means ishydraulically operated and wherein said load includes hydrauliclevellers actuated from the same system as said lifting means.

12. A utility vehicle, comprising:

a. a frame,

b. a power plant on said frame,

c. at least one power driven wheel supporting said frame from theground,

d. said power plant in driving relation with said wheel,

e. lifting means on said frame including a traveling hitch,

f. inclined track means on which the hitch is movable substantiallyvertically and longitudinally, said inclined track means causing saidhitch when being adjusted upwardly to traverse an acute angle of travelrelative to the ground and in a direction away from said wheel andinwardly of the vehicle.

1. A mover for a load, comprising, in combination: a. a frame, b. atleast one power driven wheel supporting said frame from the ground, c. apower plant supported on said frame, d. coupling means between saidpower plant and said wheels, e. lifting means on said mover for raisingand lowering said load, f. a second lifting means for folding said wheeland stowing said wheel when said mover is not in use.
 2. A load mover asin claim 1, wherein at least one of said lifting means is poweroperated.
 3. A load mover as in claim 1, wherein said lifting means forraising and lowering said load comprises a tubular guide structurehaving a side opening therein, an axially moving tubular member in saidguide structure, and means extending into said opening for moving saidmember and raising and lowering said load therewith.
 4. A load mover asin claim 3, wherein said member includes teeth, means for moving saidmember by cooperative engagement with said teeth.
 5. A load mover as inclaim 3, wherein said member includes parallel serrations and said meansfor moving said member includes teeth for engaging said serrations.
 6. Aload mover as in claim 3, wherein the lower end of said member engages awheel structure including a load propelling wheel therein, drive meansintermediate said power plant and said wheel, means in said member thruwhich said drive means may transmit power.
 7. A load mover as in claim6, wherein the lower end of said member engages a wheel structureincluding a load propelling wheel therein, drive means intermediate saidpower plant and said wheel, and wherein said tubular member defines anopening thru which said drive means extends.
 8. A load mover as in claim6, wherein said wheel rotates in one direction and propels said load ina forward direction, and said wheel structure includes means to causesaid wheel to rotate in said one direction and propel said load in theopposite direction from said forward direction.
 9. A load mover as inclaim 6, wherein said wheel structure comprises a platform and a wheelcage hinged thereto and comprising remote leverage means for pivotingsaid wheel cage about said hinge to move it to a stowage location.
 10. Amover for a vehicle, comprising in combination, a. a frame common tosaid mover and said vehicle, b. at least one power driven wheel unitsupporting said frame from the ground, c. a power plant supported onsaid frame and outputing power in one direction of movement, d. alifting unit for raising and lowering said frame, e. a lifting unit forstowing said wheel, f. coupling means between said power plant and saidpower driven wheel, g. and transmissionless means to reverse thedirection of power travel of said wheel unit while maintaining said onedirection of movement.
 11. A load mover as in claim 1, wherein saidframe is common to said mover and said load and wherein at least one ofsaid lifting means is hydraulically operated and wherein said loadincludes hydraulic levellers actuated from the same system as saidlifting means.
 12. A utility vehicle, comprising: a. a frame, b. a powerplant on said frame, c. at least one power driven wheel supporting saidframe from the ground, d. said power plant in driving relation with saidwheel, e. lifting means on said frame including a traveling hitch, f.inclined track means on which the hitch is movable substantiallyvertically and longitudinally, said inclined track means causing saidhitch when being adjusted upwardly to traverse an acute angle of travelrelative to the ground and in a direction away from said wheel andinwardly of the vehicle.